Pediatric anesthesia and neurotoxicity: what the radiologist needs to know

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Adaptation of Microelectrode Array Technology for the Study of Anesthesia-induced Neurotoxicity in the Intact Piglet Brain
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Adaptation of Microelectrode Array Technology for the Study of Anesthesia-induced Neurotoxicity in the Intact Piglet Brain

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Katherine Barton1, Joshua P Nickerson2, Timothy Higgins1

  • 1Department of Radiology, The University of Vermont College of Medicine, 111 Colchester Ave, Burlington, VT, 05401, USA.

Pediatric Radiology
|May 5, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric anesthesia use for MRI is increasing. This review examines anesthesia

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric radiology
  • Neuroscience
  • Anesthesiology

Background:

  • Cross-sectional imaging, especially MRI, is increasingly used in children.
  • Motion artifacts necessitate sedation or anesthesia for pediatric imaging.
  • Concerns exist regarding anesthesia's potential long-term cognitive effects in children.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current knowledge on anesthesia's impact on pediatric development and cognition.
  • To explore strategies for mitigating anesthesia-related risks in pediatric imaging.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on pediatric anesthesia and neurodevelopment.
  • Analysis of current understanding of anesthesia's effects on cognitive outcomes.
  • Discussion of technological and imaging strategies to minimize risks.

Main Results:

  • Growing evidence suggests potential links between pediatric anesthesia exposure and long-term cognitive deficits.
  • Radiologists can implement strategies to reduce anesthesia exposure and its potential risks.

Conclusions:

  • Further research is needed to fully understand anesthesia's long-term effects in children.
  • Radiologists should consider advanced imaging techniques and sedation protocols to minimize potential harm.

Keywords:
AnesthesiaChildrenDevelopmental delayMagnetic resonance imagingNeurotoxicitySedation

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